Fofo County Senator sworn in as first action in new Fono session

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The swearing-in of Olo Uluao Letuli to be the new senator for Fofo County was the Senate’s first business of the day yesterday morning, as it convened for the Second Regular Session of the 38th Legislature of American Samoa.

The senatorial seat for Fofo County was left vacant after former Sen. Fai’ivae Iuli Godinet stepped down in May to take up the post of Western District Governor.

The session started with prayer by Senator Ma’o Fa’auma Gogo and a moment of silence was observed in remembrance of Senator Tauiliili Paopao Lauifi who passed away on Saturday in Hawaii.

Before the actual swearing-in ceremony, Senate President Tuaolo Manaia Fruean as per Senate Rules, appointed a Credentials Committee comprising Senators Togiola T. Tulafono, Alo P. Stevenson, Malaepule Saite Moliga and committee chairman Magalei Logovii, to confirm the eligibility of the elected candidate as forwarded by the Office of Samoan Affairs.

After a brief meeting, the committee returned and committee member Senator Togiola officially announced that the elected candidate for the Fofo senatorial seat had fulfilled all the requirements and had been unanimously approved by their committee.

He then proposed a motion that the elected candidate be sworn in as senator for Fofo County, which was unanimously approved by Senate members.

Olo was then officially sworn in by Chief Justice Michael Kruse to the applause of friends and relatives who were present, including former senator and now Western District Governor Fai’ivae Iuli Godinet and Patricia Letuli, the widow of Samoan fire knife dance founder and a former senator, Letuli Olo Uluao Misilagi, who held the HTC title “Olo” for 40 years before being bestowed the Paramount Chief title “Letuli.”

In an exclusive interview with Samoa News, Senator Olo expressed his gratitude to the traditional leaders and chiefs of Fofo County for selecting him to be their representative in the Senate.

 “I would like to give thanks and praises to the good Lord for allowing this great honor to be bestowed on me,” he acknowledged. “I would like to thank the traditional leaders and chiefs of Fofo County for their confidence and trust in me to represent them in the Senate.

 “I would also like to acknowledge former senator Fai’ivae Iuli Godinet for his service and all he has done for our county. I will continue his work to the best of my ability and implement initiatives of my own to improve life for everyone in our county.”

The new Fofo senator who has a military career of 30 years serving in the U. S. Army resides at Fogagogo with his wife Heavenly Annesley Letuli. They have six children.

Asked if he has plans to build another home on family lands in Leone to be closer to his constituents, he stated that it was something he plans to do because it is important that he knows first hand the issues that concern the people of his county and more importantly, that he be easily accessible to the people when they need his help.

Senator Olo will take over the appointments previously held by former Senator Fai’ivae in the Senate standing committees.

That is, vice chair of the Education Committee and chair of the Public Safety/ Homeland Security Committee. He is also a member in several standing committees.

The new Fofo senator will begin his senatorial duties today by chairing the confirmation hearing for the governor’s nomination of Faipule Vailoata Eteuati Amituanai as a member of the Immigration Board of American Samoa, scheduled for 8:30 this morning.